If businesses are stuck with a formulaic, lineal structure towards their operations without being open to change, then an agile mindset will never be achieved in the workplace.
In the banking sector especially, where processes are constantly changing so frequently according to market updates and innovations, adopting an agile mindset throughout an entire hierarchy can be the difference between success and failure on an organisational scale.
Agility is continuing to play an integral role in the development of banking on an international scale. For example, it is now easier than ever for individuals and businesses to access and make use of their finances through the development of apps, face recognition and software like Apple Pay to name just a few.
As processes are becoming more automated, moving away from the traditional face-to-face banking structure, businesses in this sector have a responsibility to keep up-to-date with groundbreaking inventions, and more importantly, ensure that their employees are up-to-date also.
To overcome fixed and rigid mindsets and embrace growth and curiosity, leaders should be structuring their business banking training programmes to provide employees with an environment where they can work collaboratively and experience market disruptive factors to see a real shift in mentality and return on investment.
What is an agile mindset?
An agile mindset can be defined as a mentality that embraces quality of deliverance, collaboration and respect as well as the ability to adapt to significant change. In banking, this can prove to be particularly beneficial as the industry relies on individuals with varied skill sets working together as productively as possible to provide the best service to a wide range of clients.
When it comes to implementing and maintaining an agile mindset, leaders should look to their business banking training programmes as a potential avenue to explore. While change can be difficult, and adjusting processes may take a while to resonate with employees old and new, it will ultimately serve to benefit the wider business long term.
According to a study conducted by Accenture, agile firms are more than twice as likely as the average business to achieve top-quartile financial performance, highlighting how important it can be for progression.
An agile mindset in banking: MDA Training’s approach
Here at MDA Training, we utilise experiential learning methods in our business banking training programmes which serve to engage employees and improve learning retention. Our virtual and physical experiential interventions can help drive an agile mindset, allowing individuals to learn how to use their agility skills to turn a threat into an opportunity.
For a business to achieve agility in the workplace, they must first understand that it is not a formulaic concept and that it can be worked and structured in several ways to optimise processes. There is no one size fits all approach to an agile mindset; it works solely on the exact needs and goals of the business. For this reason, our bespoke programmes are widely appropriate for companies of all sizes and stages.
Our development cycle to achieving an agile mindset focuses on seven fundamental valuable areas. These are:
- Digitalisation
- Mindset and culture
- Strategic thinking
- Decision making
- Innovation
- Creativity
- Tools and techniques
These seven values, when focused on adequately, each serve as a pathway to improving individual and team development in banking which leaders can use to streamline their processes and gain a significant edge over their competitors.
The key to achieving an agile mindset throughout an entire workforce ultimately lies with business leaders. Investing in the right training programme that develops core skills and opens new ways of thinking for employees will no doubt improve processes in the future.